Trends.
What is trending in your life?
Where is the tide of your emotions moving?
Where is that one current that you can’t seem to get past?
For me, it has been thinking that I am not good enough. It has been thinking that I stand on the brink of “mistake” that will send me careening to quick destruction in no time. It has been listening to destructive criticism that simply wants to wash me up shore, breathless, nearly lifeless and without a rescuer.
If I am not a better mother, this kid won’t end up liking me much.
If I can’t stop being quick to speak, I am never going to make strides.
If I don’t live pleasing people, I will never be happy.
If I fall to mean speaking, I am a shame-wrecked failure.
If I live for selfishness, I am a faith-wrecked failure.
Do you know what is trending? It is easy to let our thoughts move like passing clouds, without giving them a second chance. But, stop, today. Think, today. Don’t just move with the wind of your life. Lean in to what your thoughts are working within, so that you can work out what God wants to push out.
What voice inside your mind speaks judgement over enlightenment?
Disappointment over God’s appointment?
Punishment over realignment?
Our voices inside shape our voices outside.
“You’re not a good mom” produces a snappy chide spoken to the kid asking for water.
“You speak in all the wrong way,” produces a defensive comeback.
“You deserve punishment,” produces guilt that makes me want to hide.
“You will never make others happy,” produces a why-bother attitude that no one wants to be around.
“I will always be selfish and I can’t stop sinning,” produces defeat that turns around to wave hello to more sin.
Our voices inside shape our voices outside (I am saying this twice for a reason).
They have the power to flip relationships
inside, outside and upside-down – for either good or for bad.
What thought has been plaguing you? Stop. Seek. Look. Press in. Think.
Passing glances produce lasting problems.
God doesn’t leave us on the side of the road, an anxious hitchhiker, with no one around to bring us to his destination of promise, fulfillment, enjoyment, safe pastures and comfort. He doesn’t ride by, wave at us, and scream “Don’t be anxious about anything – continue on and good luck!”
God tells us instead to:
1. Rejoice. Find worship – and you will find worry is no longer convicts you as an guilty bystander. (Phil 4:6)
2. Pray. Pray the name of God, pray the hope of glory, pray against evil temptation (to think negatively), seek wisdom and pray, “Help me!” (Phil 4:6)
3. Ask. God tells us to pray and then he tells us to ask (Phil 4:6). Point is: Keep on praying, asking, pleading and then go about believing. Repeat.
4. Give thanks (Phil 4:6). If you are saying thank you, you can’t be saying, “I hate my life.”
5. Focus on what deserves focusing: what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy, not once but continually – and then continually focus there again. (Phil. 4:8)
When we get stuck in the place of worship,
we find ourself stuck on the mind and the heart of God.
It is no wonder that God explicitly tells us in his ever-redeeming and reconstructing Word that for one who keeps with this momentary, hourly or daily process that the peace of God will show up, literally transcending understanding to guard their hearts in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7).
When we submit to God’s ways, he shields ours.
What do you need to submit? Rejoice, pray, ask, thank, and make your mind-prose “praiseworthy”.
This means asking yourself:
Is saying “I am a bad mom”, is that a “praiseworthy” thought bringing glory to God?”
Is saying, “Things will never improve”, is that a “praiseworthy” thought bringing glory to God?
Is saying, “I will never stop sinning,” is that a “praiseworthy” thought bringing glory to God?
Is saying, “I deserve punishment,” is this a “praiseworthy” thought bringing glory to God?
If not, get yourself back to step 1. Pray for sanctification of all things entering in your mind.
Because, what you let in, will work into every crevice of your day.
We look at a glass of water you see, and we say, “Ehh…what we can’t see won’t hurt us. What is small, shouldn’t make a difference.” But, what we miss is the fact that there is clear poison dropped in that glass. If you knew that, would you drink it?
No. And so it goes with our thoughts.
Small poison = big negative results.
Small poison = a heavy and hardened heart.
Small poison = an angry, bitter, victimized or jealous spirit.
But, Jesus. Did you hear that? But Jesus. Even if we have been guzzling poison, he rushes in with the antidote.
Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Mt. 9:12
With no slaps, whacks or breaking of our backs, he heals up what we let in, so that we can move out through his faith and through real transformation, sanctification and reformation of our mind.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Ro. 12:2
For me? I will remember, my family and friends and my God – they love me. I am secure in Jesus’ love. I am a sinner sinning, being rescued by a Savior saving. My God is good. This is praiseworthy!
When we think like this, we live no longer as a hitchhiker seeking our next best ride to some unknown land, but we watch on as God escorts us to transformation. A place where green pastures of peace and resulting fruit are plentiful.
Breathe deep. What could be better than that?
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Amazing post, Kelly! You bless me and I love you! Praying peace and infinite blessings over you today, beautiful friend! 🙂
Thank you Tai. You bless me too, continually. You are such a gift.
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This reminds me of a time last year when negative thoughts were TRENDING in my mind, Kelly, A talk with my husband helped me to see how it affected our family life, and by God’s grace, I changed my comments and changed the tape playing in my head. I haven’t been the same since! I like this: Rejoice, pray, ask, thank, and focus on the “praiseworthy”.
Yes, when we start hearing anything but praise, we have to get back to our good ‘ole arm raise! ha! Love you Betsy. Loved seeing you on incourage!
Kelly, the enemy would like nothing better than to see us stuck in our own negative thoughts. You are so right. To break free from that cycle, our first line of defense is worship! I have trouble staying in an attitude of worship at all times, and when I let my defenses down, that’s when those negative thoughts creep in. May we all find strength today in God’s precious Word to boldly walk with a constant praise in our hearts and minds! Blessings:)
Yes, he would Kristine! That sneaky lil guy wants to get us, doesn’t he? I pray we can armor up with the greatest defense and press on!
Yes! I’ll go here with ya – . A place where green pastures of peace and resulting fruit are plentiful.
Beautiful…bountiful…blessings!
Hugs, Susan
Let’s go! I think you already have that place awaiting you dear one! Praying for you.
Hey Kelly … I haven’t said ‘thanks’ recently for inviting us all to the party! Thanks for giving us a warm place to gather, for introducing us to each other, for giving us a safe place to hang out.
Blessings on you, girl …
;-}
What a sweet word. Thank you Linda.
Thanks Kelly for hosting and have a beautiful and encouraging post for our hearts!!!
Be blessed Tayrina. Much love to you friend.
Perfect words to begin my day. How awesome is it that God will always swoop in when we need Him and never tire of rescuing us. It is so easy to forget that. I love how you described worship… ”
When we get stuck in the place of worship,
we find ourself stuck on the mind and the heart of God.” That is where I wish to be stuck today and everyday.
Mary, I praise God for you. You are a dose of fresh encouragement all the time. God has so many rewards stored up for you; I just know it.
A powerful post indeed. The thoughts we play in our heads will certainly be lived out. I am so grateful for the many times worship music and/or reading the Psalms has played a new tape in my head 🙂
Thank you God for speaking life to us. We can play new tapes of truth and dance with you God. We love you.
I am also subject to the trending negativity — all lies, and it is imperative for me to stay close to Scripture. So thankful for the capital “T” truths of God’s Word that hold up a mirror to my heart every day.
Amen Michele! That is powerful.
Great post friend. I’ve been listening to the mean voices of my mind. It’s time to pay more attention and combat those buggers with the Truth!
Thank you Katie. I am excited to get back on track with the right voice of love. Let’s go!
Kelly,
Mmm, such good meat here. For two days the inside voices have been trying to drown out Truth. I’m scheduled to have a photoshoot this weekend for an ebook I’m working on. The inside voice is spewing lies which makes me want to run and retreat. But I love that you say to sanctify the thoughts that are coming in. I am renewed. I am refreshed. I am emboldened. Come on weekend! Thanks friend.
May we listen to the voice of truth – and that voice only. I am getting my filter of praiseworthy out right along with you Tyra. Love you dear friend.
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Great stuff, Kelly! Thank you, my friend. I needed your words more than I realized. God bless you!
Thank you Julie. It is a good mind-check.
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This is a very timely reminder! I feel like there are days where I have to beat out these thoughts with encouraging words and scripture, and praying them away. Thanks for a beautiful article and for hosting. Blessings 🙂
Thank you for the lovely encouragement Kelly. May we keep our minds on things of godliness.
So good!!! So good
So glad you liked it.
Kelly, such truth in your words! And this? Our voices inside shape our voices outside.” Yeah, that spoke to my heart. How many times have I snapped at my boys because of the voices inside? Too many, I’m sad to say. I’m turning on some worship music now, to remind my thoughts where they should be dwelling.
May you be one with your maker, who is always holding and loving you!
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Bringing to the light the darkness will bring healing..you do this so well, with such perfect scripture to support our healing! This negative thinking has been up for me lately as I transition in my career — the negative self talk seems to come from nowhere — so your post speaks to me deeply! Thank you for your ongoing humility, vulnerability and encouragement!!
Thank you Kathy. Let’s let God’s word guide us not the negative rolls in our heads.
Thanks Kelly! I think a lot of us women fall into that trap of feeling like we are not good enough. Thank you for this reminder that I am indeed good enough…that we are all good enough!
We do fall in that trap. I cheer with you, “Yes, thank you God. We are good enough.”
“What you let in will work into every crevice of your day.” So true. Thoughts not brought captive can truly be a run away train. I have to remind myself frequently to inhale truth so that I can exhale grace for myself, and to those around me. Thanks for the reminder!
Yes! I need so much help on this, but I am pursuing it right with you Tiffany.
If I knew there was clear poison in the water, would I drink it? Good question. Sometimes, I think we DO know and drink it anyway, thinking that we’re somehow immune to it, only to find out that we’re not as strong on our own as we thought we were. We need the antidote of Christ. Good thoughts today, Kelly!
Interesting answer Mary. I think your words are wise and true.
Love this, kelly – you live what you preach (always a challenge!) – Giving thanks: I can’t hate my life – practical and true!
thanks for this!
Thank you. Much love to you.
ps i’m posting on gratitude tomorrow – i may want to quote and link you, okay?
Absolutely. I would love for you to do so!
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Such a thought provoking post, thank you! I especially loved this, “When we get stuck in the place of worship, we find ourself stuck on the mind and the heart of God.” Beautifully written and deeply moving.
I am so glad it spoke to you. We have power within ourself to be our mind through Christ Jesus. Thank you God!
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[…] Linking up with these lovelies: Thursday Favorite Things | SHINE | Thought Provoking Thursday | Cozy Reading Spot | Fellowship Fridays | Faith Filled Friday | Grace & Truth | Words with Winter | Reflect | Small Wonder | Unite | Tuesday Talk | Intentional Tuesday | #RaRaLinkup […]